Developing Differently

One of Robbie's special interests is treating children and teens whose growth patterns are not typical. The process of raising and relating to children who develop differently can be frustrating, stressful, lonely, and full of ambiguity. Parents all too often say to her,"The strategies that work for other families just aren't working for us."

There are many ways in which a child's development can be unpredictable or different, but there are several kinds of patterns she sees on a regular basis. Robbie often works with intellectually gifted and twice exceptional children, whose development is considered asyncronous. She also sees a lot of children on the autism spectrum and with ADD or ADHD, whose growth patterns are uneven and often take unexpected turns.

Being able to identify such differences and adjust expectations accordingly - can be one key to alleviating symptoms of depression or anxiety in children and stress in parents and teachers.

MOST RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT:Robbie Hutchens, LMFT and Dr. Kristy Mall (Murfreesboro, TN) co-presented a session on parenting and advocating for children who are gifted and autistic at the 2016 Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted International Conference. Surviving and Thriving through Autism: A Twice Exceptional Story.

Robbie is a SENG parenting group facilitator, and Kristy is SENG Liaison for Tennessee.